Algorithmic design of a 900MHz CMOS RF power amplifier using SPICE-Smith chart method

An algorithmic method for power amplifier design named "SPICE-Smith chart" is introduced and is proved to be accurate and fast. A 900 MHz CMOS fully differential class E PA is designed in a 0.8-µm CMOS process by using this method. This PA has controllable output power in the range of 20-3OdBm with steps of no more than 2.5dB and its maximum PAE is 55%. The output power is controlled by varying the supply voltage of the PA. A Δ-modulated switching power supply, which uses a programmable capacitance array (PCA), is designed to control the supply voltage of the PA.